OTTAWA -- Security staff and cops kept tabs on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford during his day at Ottawa City Hall last February.

According to e-mails obtained by QMI Agency through access to information, Ottawa police wanted their presence to be low-key around the scandal-plagued political celebrity during the Big City Mayors Caucus meeting Feb. 26.

At the same time, the city wanted to be prepared for a Ford circus.

"We will require increased security for that day as we anticipate a considerable amount of media as Mayor Ford may be attending," wrote staffer Patricia Kent in the city manager's office, noting the importance of confidentiality.

Ford's presence was a factor in planning for the day-long meeting.

The police's special events branch was given a "situational awareness" heads-up the day before the meeting that Ford was planning a press conference.